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Progeny Prattle


Date:  May 18, 2003
Place:  Telgar Weyr Workroom
Game:  PernMUSH
Copyright Info:  The World of Pern is copyright(c) to Anne McCaffrey 
l967. The Dragonriders of Pern(r) is a registered copyright.

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Kassi's Note:  A late night encounter leads to a casual talk about 
children, dragons, and dreams between Tasayli and her EvilAuntKassi.
Amazingly, Tasa doesn't hit even one person in the course of this
scene! ;)  Kassi also gets a taste of being the one bet on for a 
change.

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The Log:

Tasayli comes into the workroom from the bowl.

Tasayli comes in at full speed, skids to a stop, and flattens herself by
the entrance from the bowl. She's out of breath, and clearly excited, and
also clearly hasn't seen who else is in here. A moment passes, then
another, before the girl relaxes a little.

It's possible to fail to notice Kassi's presence for a moment, despite what
she's doing--she has her pipes in hand, has likely been practicing, but at
the moment is catching her breath. She's settled into one of the hearthside
chairs with her feet propped up on a table, and never mind what the
Headwoman might say if she saw it. The flash of motion as Tasayli enters
gets her to jerk a startled look towards the entrance, which smooths into
amusement soon enough; she inquires, voice almost a drawl, "Hiding from
someone? Should I guess who, or is it too easy?"

Tasayli jumps, startled slightly, then peers back towards the bowl. "I'm
not playing pranks on candidates, honest, EvilauntKassi," she assures,
avoiding the question. Seemingly, the coast is clear, and she leaves her
post to come closer. "You won't tell the candidate coordinators, will you?
That I'm out and about this late?"

"Now, why does your immediate denial of that make me think 'tis precisely
what you *are* doing?" Kassi's question is more rhetorical than anything,
but she sounds entertained rather than upset. "Or is it some new plot t'be
abusing your brother instead? Nay, though, 'twill nay tell them. I don't
know whether they set a curfew anyway--I've seen Bauhaus at least out and
about much later than this."

Tasayli's looking earnestly innocent - until Kassi brings up her brother.
"Well, it's his fault we couldn't go to the festival! And his fault I'm
s'posed to be in bed, too. So, I just *had* to do something about it,
didn't I?" She plunks down into a seat, one carefully chosen to conceal her
should Tavauri peer in quickly. "I heard it wasn't so great, anyways."
Yeah. Sure she believes that.

Some of Kassi's amusement fades at mention of the Festival. "'Twouldn't
know," she murmurs. "I half-meant t'go, but the long flight, and as bloody
uncomfortable as 'twould be... I haven't been to a Festival in a long
time." She breaks away from that wistful thought, resuming her usual
expression and tone. "Mmm-*hmm*. Why's it his fault? What did he do?"

"Well," Tasa evades, "He didn't have to hit me when I tripped him. He
could've just walked away." Nothing's ever her fault. In a quick change of
topic, the girl asks, "How's the baby doin', anyways? Is he awake? Kicking?"

"And why did you trip him?" Kassi fixes Tasayli with a *look*, but there's
some laughter behind it. "Revenge for pushing you the night of the dinner,
or what? Faranth. I hope you Impress, if'n only t'get you in a Barracks
away from him for awhile; one of you *might* have long enough t'lose your
taste for abuse." Naturally enough, she automatically brightens a bit at
the new topic. "Aye t'both: very awake, and kicking as much as he can. Or
she. There isn't as much room for aerobics in there as there used t'be."
She eyes her rounded stomach with something akin to, if not quite,
consternation. "Though 'twould think there'd be more room than ever t'look
at me."

Tasayli ffttts at the idea of it being revenge for the push. "That was
*days* ago. He called me names, and pinched me." Basically, they each seem
to abuse one another simply because they're there. "I hope I impress, too!
He'd be soooo jealous." Alright, so she's not the most mature of girls.
Eagerly, though, she leans forward a little, lifting a hand. "Can I touch?
Feel him kick?" She boldly asks. "I think it's a he. Might even put marks
on it!"

Kassima tries not to let her amusement show, but does a rather poor job of
it. "What names? Faranth, you two are almost as bad as Kyjain and Kisai.
Except I don't think you really hate each other, do you? And is that the
*only* reason you want t'be Impressing?" She's almost laughing outright by
now. Setting her pipes aside on the table, she sits up a bit and invites,
"Touch if'n you want; right about here's best for kicking right now," with
a gesture to indicate the place. "I haven't any idea which gender 'tis. Ozy
has one child, and that one a girl, and four of mine are girls, so odds
would seem t'be on that; but if'n you've a firm hunch, mayhaps you should
lay marks. Just let me know how you make out if'n you won't give me a cut,
hey?"

Tasayli wriggles her fingers, leaning forward more, and settles her hand
gently where indicated. See? She doesn't always use her hands to hit.
"Hate? I dunno," she says, while waiting for a kick. "I guess I want to
impress so I can have a dragon of my own, an'fly and fight thread and
everything. It'll happen some time or another, but I really don't want to
be left on the sands at the end, you know?" She pauses, then says, "Marks
on girl or boy don't get much return, unless everyone else bets the other
way. We'll see. If I get lots, I'll give you a cut, K?"

It's a few heartbeats before the baby obliges, but eventually there's a
firm, sharp shove of a small foot--or possibly elbow--from within. No mere
flutter, that; it should be easily felt. "Oof. At least she's obliging,"
Kassi quips, grinning wryly. "I'm looking forward t'when she's born. 'Tis
kind of funny, that I missed being pregnant and half-wanted t'be for so
long, but now I'm about ready for it t'be over. Would you want him
completely out of your life, if'n 'twere an option?" she wants to know,
presumably meaning Tavauri. "That seems t'me a better reason. Since
Impression's a lifelong deal and all. You certes seem sure of yourself... I
hope it happens for you too, but I guess y'never know. Kay Stood the twice
a'fore Impressing." At the last, the greenrider gives a full, approving
beam. "You know your stuff--you're quite right. Sounds like a good deal
t'me. Either way, let me know who you bet with and what they bet, if'n
'twould, for m'own curiosity and amusement's sake?"

Tasayli lifts her hand in surprise at the kick, then returns it.
"Oh-cooool," she breathes, then nods her head quickly. "I wish he'd just go
to Fort, or to Honshu, or somewhere else entirely." So that would be a yes.
"It'll happen, I'm sure of it, I'll Impress. And yeah, some folks're saying
'twins for sure'! I'm hoping to find someone who's sure it's two girls, and
then I'll say one boy, and maybe I'll win lots. When d'you think it'll
happen?"

There might be another nudge or two, but nothing as strong as the first.
Kassi mutters, fondly, "Are you *finally* going t'sleep, kit?" She's
probably not talking to Tasayli. Then, "Mmm. Well, mayhaps like Ky and Kiss
after all, then. It might be better if'n one of you *did* get rather far
out-Weyr. Have you any certainties on color, while you're so certain of the
rest?" There's a hint of teasing in that. And some genuine aghastness as
she repeats, "*Twins for sure*? Faranth! I'm nay *that* big! Anyway, the
Healers don't think so, thanks be t'all the first queen's little
children--one twin birth in one lifetime was enough. I'm nay quite sure of
the when. 'Tis another pair of weeks, mayhaps, 'til 'twill have been nine
months passed, but Kisai was early, so I don't assume... hasn't dropped
yet, though. So it certes shouldn't be tomorrow."

Tasayli answers, puzzled, "Probably same colour as you'n the dad? Aren't
babies mostly the same as their parents? Yeah, twins for sure, some're
saying. So, a little while to make my bets. That's good!" Getting bored of
the lack of activity, she lifts her hand after a little pat. "Didja mean
dragon colour? Blue. I think blue. But I'd take anything that wanted me,
even gold."

That gets Kassi to laugh outright. "I meant of dragon that you're t'be
Impressing!" she agrees. "Color of the baby would be odd t'bet on. Though
come t'think of it," she adds, thoughtful, "she--he, 'twill say, since
you're betting on that--might be darker than me or any of m'children, since
Ozy is and said he was born so. Nay that it matters much, I just hadn't
thought on it. I guess 'twill be finding out. And I can be fairly certain
in telling you 'twill nay be twins, so in that much I can help you with
your betting." She leans back in her chair once Tasayli's removed her hand,
folding her own hands over her stomach. "Blue, nay green? Huh. I could see
blue. Or brown, though brown might better suit Tavauri, and doubtless
please his mother. 'Even' gold--hah, you sound like one of m'own lasses;
can't disapprove of your priorities."

Tasayli settles back in her chair, kick-show over for now. "Not that
there's anything wrong with green," she hastily says. "I like greens. Maybe
that's why I'd like a blue, you know? We'd have something in common?"
Again, she lets out a little fffttt sound, at the idea of Tav Impressing.
"Who'd want a gold? They're bossy, and can't flame, can't turn fast. So
they lay eggs - the Pass is ending, so they won't be doing much of that,
anyways!"

There's a strangled sound of mirth from the greenrider. "If'n you like
greens the way a blue would like greens, throwing up on Lysseth was an odd
way t'show it!" she teases, merriment making her green eyes dance. "Naught
wrong with blues. Kris likes blues, though he never really assumed he'd
Impress the way Kay did, or Khari for awhile, or Kimlyn and Kyjain do now.
Kiss likes 'em, too. Don't ask me who'd want a gold--I'm quite content with
m'green, and with fighting!" There's a pause. Her expression turns briefly
wistful. "Nay that I haven't sometimes wished Lysseth could have children,
and have a male dote on her the way they do on golds while the clutch is on
the Sands. She's so marvelous that she'd surely have marvelous offspring.
But that's more Pern's loss than mine."

Tasayli protests, "I don't like'em like *that*," in a half-wail. "EW. But
you know. I could point out the nice ones to him, things like that." She
thinks, though, before commenting on the rest. "I kinda think," she
speculates, "that it'd be different for dragons, having babies and all. I
mean, a baby dragon loves its rider like a mom, not its mom like a mom,
right? So it'd be great, but also kind of sad, if you're thinking it'd be
like having kids. Right?" She seems a little perplexed at this, even maybe
a little distressed. But she does say next, "Maybe a brown would be good.
He could be agile an'quick, and catch a gold, and have baby dragons."

Kassima grins widely at the wail, of course, not looking apologetic in the
least. "I suppose you could," she acknowledges. "Except a'course for
Tierth, nice as she might be. *That* would be ew. Aye, though... I don't
think dragons really *love* anyone other than their rider, exactly. Certes
nay their dam, sire, or children--as best I know--though they might be
fond; they surely can't have the sort of bond with their children we do
with ours." One of her hands smooths absently over her stomach as she
speaks. "That is a bit sad. But still, they could affect the future of
Pern, and pass on their traits to future generations of dragonpairs. I
could wish Lyss could do that. A brown would be the best compromise,
mayhaps, aye. He could sire clutches, and you'd still get t'fight."

Tasayli half-wails again, "Ewwww!" at the thought of 'her' blue or brown
chasing Tierth. Mostly, the maternal bond thing is a little beyond Tasa;
the momentary dip into thinking about it was just that, a brief moment. "A
brown would be great. They fight, they flame, and they might just have
babies. But I still think blue'd be my first choice, they're just somehow
cooler. Sionelle, she rides a blue, you know." There's just a touch of
hero-worship in her voice.

At least this time Kassi's grin isn't *quite* as wide. She's still amused,
though. "You could keep him from it, methinks. Or at least I certes hope
so! Truth, 'twill tell you, I'm fond of blues--'twould rather have an agile
blue or two than a brown, at least right now while I'm brown full." There's
a pause. "Methinks I hoped, if'n aught, I'd Impress blue, when I Stood. Nay
that I'm complaining of what I got, mind! So Sionelle's an idol of yours?"

Tasayli still gives a little shudder at the idea of doing ... *that* ...
with her mother. "You wanted a blue?" She asks, sounding a little shocked.
"I never would've guessed! And yeah. Sionelle's pretty cool, donchathink?
She's just so ... I dunno. In control, and nothing ruffles her, and
Brynarth's just great." That said, the girl thinks again, for a heartbeat.
"So, you've got lotsa browns in Thunderbolt? I guess I never thought 'bout
how wings get put together. You don't want all of one colour, but a good
mix, right?"

"As much as I wanted any color. The whole idea was a bit new t'me; 'twas as
flutter-headed as any Holder Candidate you've ever seen," Kassi readily
admits, with only a bare touch of color for the memory. "Sionelle... certes
has her points. 'Twas always a bit glad she wasn't m'Weyrlingmaster,
though. And 'tis hard t'forget that she had a son with *Pierron*. Aye, a
fair number right now--I hoped," she says, "for more blues, the last couple
of times we've rationed out Weyrlings, but m'luck wasn't in. You always
want more greens than aught else--well, so I'd say--because they tire, and
because they're the most agile and overall most useful, but you don't want
*all* greens, or all aught else, right. We do have blues, and bronzes, but
I could use another bronze and a blue or two. Nay that 'twould say nay
t'any rider who was skilled, since getting a good rider of a color you're
well-stocked on is better than getting a bad one of any color, d'you ken?"

Tasayli snorts in amusement. "There's this new candidate from Boll - had
Steam Bath cleaning for her chore, an'I had latrine cleaning. So, I told
her that she'd have to scrub the bottom of the hottest bath, holding her
breath under water, and that it was all slimey and green and icky. She was
glad to trade duties with me!" That's half the fun of chores, getting
gullible newcomers to do the nasty ones. "So, greens are quick and can get
lots, but they tire out too quickly, so you replace'em often, right? But a
brown or bronze can last a whole Fall, but just mostly fly straight lines,
so the greens mop up after'em? And the blues are kinda in-between?" She
nods, understanding. "You mean that a dragon is only as good as his rider,
right? And a wing is only as good as its worst rider?"

Kassima observes, with great amusement rather than any condemnation, "You
are an *evil* child, you do know that, right? Pshhh! But whatever works."
She switches to business: "Exactly so; blues, too, have t'be replaced some
of the time. A green or blue *can* fly through a full Fall--Lyss and I
do--but 'tisn't really a good thing. We have t'jump *between* more, and nay
chase down clumps, so we can't tire. Easier nay t'have t'conserve like
that. Right again on bronzes and browns. We need 'em t'tame the winds for
the greens and blues, too, make the flying easier, but they can't catch
that much Thread on their own." She bobbles her head in affirmation.
"Pretty much that. You *can* have a good dragon with a damned fool riding
him, but given the choice 'tis better t'have a pair whose members both have
brains. And whether a Wing's as good as its worst rider or nay--and I'd say
there's some truth t'that--a bad rider can interfere with the others'
flight space, make his or her Wingmates chase after Thread they should have
gotten, and endanger everyone."

"Then you taught me well, EvilauntKassi," Tasa quips, then listens to the
explanation. Sort of. Her twelve-turn-old mind can only handle so much of
this, and it's late. "Thanks for explaining all that. But I think I should
see 'bout sneaking back to my cot. I hope Tav hasn't snuck in and tried to
do anything to my cot - I switched with that girl from Boll. She's
gullible, but doesn't deserve that!" The girl looks mostly proud of the
switch, and potentially fooling her half-brother. "G'night, Kassi. Lemme
know soon as you think you might be having the baby? Folks might make hasty
decisions on wagers, if they're pressured like that!"

"Ah, 'tis honored I am if'n you let me take the credit," Kassi decides, her
grin wide. "And you're welcome. Mayhaps you should set your fire-lizard
t'guarding your cot, hey, if'n she's fierce enough? But g'night any road...
and 'twill let you know if'n I can, though if'n I'm in labor I'm afraid I'm
going t'have other things a bit more on m'mind!"

[Editor's Note:  Tasayli had to scoot, so the scene ends here. :) ]